OBJECTIVE to map available evidence on parental burnout theme. METHODS scoping review as according to the Joanna Briggs Institute. Search in January 2021, in six databases of publications in English, Portuguese or Spanish, without time limits. Data extracted and descriptively analyzed by three independent researchers. RESULTS 374 articles were identified and 20 were included in the final sample, all published in English, from 2017 onwards. Parental burnout is a complex, multifactorial problem, distinct from burnout cases, depressive symptoms and other mental health alterations. It affects 0.2 to 20% of parents, has validated and suitable instruments for measurement; if not treated, can have consequences on marital life, work relationships, child neglect and violence. CONCLUSIONS this is a recent theme that needs to be explored, due to the possible impact on children's and families' health and on parents' work processes. Protocol registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/jd7vk).